Dominion Power Outage Supplies: Build Your Kit Before Dominion Goes Dark!
- Dominion Power Outage Basic Survival Kit: 0-4 Hours
- Dominion Power Outage Intermediate Survival Kit: 4-24 Hours
- Dominion Power Outage Extended Survival Kit: 1-3 Days
- Dominion Power Outage Emergency Survival Kit: 3+ Days
- Special Considerations for Medically Vulnerable Customers
- Dominion Power Outage Essentials: Season-Specific Supplies
- Stay Powered Up When Dominion Goes Dark
Losing power is frustrating—one minute you're cooking dinner, the next you're searching for flashlights in the dark. If you're a Dominion Energy customer, you'll probably face this scenario about twice a year. The good news? With simple planning, you can be ready for anything from a quick outage to a day-long power loss. We've put together practical supply lists for every situation, from basic power banks for short interruptions to complete backup systems for extended emergencies. A little preparation now means you won't be left in the dark when power inevitably goes out.
Dominion Power Outage Basic Survival Kit: 0-4 Hours
Most Dominion Energy customers experience brief power outages lasting under four hours several times a year. These short interruptions typically result from passing storms, minor equipment failures, or scheduled maintenance work. While inconvenient, these situations don't require extensive preparation—just a well-organized basic kit that's ready when you need it.
Essential Items:
LED flashlights in each major room
Headlamps for hands-free lighting
Battery-powered lanterns
Fully charged power banks (10,000mAh per person)
Battery/hand-crank radio for outage updates
Dominion Energy contact information with account number
Pen and paper for outage information
Having flashlights placed strategically throughout your home guarantees you'll never be completely in the dark when the lights go out unexpectedly. Headlamps are particularly handy because they leave both hands available to cook, repair things, or care for family members. Keep your equipment charged with fully charged power banks—these are lifesavers for staying in touch and accessing important information during an outage.
For technology-savvy homeowners, the EcoFlow DELTA 2 Power Station provides reliable backup power in a compact, convenient package. It charges quickly whenever power returns and will run everything from phones and laptops to small appliances during brief outages. Smart surge protectors are well worth the cost because they prevent damage when power returns, perhaps with a shaky voltage. Having your internet router humming along with a low battery backup means that you can still access outage maps and communication resources even if the lights don't remain on.
Pro Tip: Store your kit in an easily accessible location marked with glow-in-the-dark tape so everyone in your household can find it quickly, even in complete darkness.
Dominion Power Outage Intermediate Survival Kit: 4-24 Hours
When Dominion Energy customers face outages lasting between 4-24 hours, preparation becomes more critical. These medium-duration outages typically occur several times annually across Dominion's service territory, often during seasonal storms or when grid repairs require extended work. With the right preparation, you can maintain comfort and safety throughout a day without power.
Essential Items: (Include Basic Kit plus)
Cooler and ice packs for medications/perishables
Ready-to-eat non-perishable food
Manual can opener
Water (1 gallon per person per day)
Extra batteries in various sizes
First aid kit with medications
Hygiene supplies (wipes, sanitizer, toilet paper)
Cash in small bills
Car chargers for mobile devices
Non-electronic entertainment options
If the outages exceed a few hours, food safety is a concern. A quality cooler with ice packs keeps refrigerated medications and perishable foods safe for extended periods. Fill the cooler with foods that do not require cooking—peanut butter, crackers, canned foods, and granola bars are excellent options. Don't leave home without that manual can opener! It's essential to have at least one gallon of water per individual to keep you hydrated in case your water supply depends on electric pumps.
For outages lasting a full day or less, think about upgrading to the larger power station configuration with extra battery capacity. This system can charge necessary appliances such as refrigerators for a short period or run multiple devices for a whole day. The PowerStream Balcony Solar System offers a renewable source of charging by day, which can supplement your power supplies. Battery-powered fans become essential for comfort in heat-related outages, and a Bluetooth thermometer in your refrigerator alerts you when temperatures reach too high for food storage.
Pro Tip: Create a "power priority list" with medical devices first, followed by communication tools. This helps you make smart decisions about what to power when resources are limited.
Dominion Power Outage Extended Survival Kit: 1-3 Days
Residents in Dominion Energy's coastal Virginia service areas and storm-prone regions of North Carolina face the reality of multi-day power outages several times yearly. These extended outages, often caused by hurricanes, ice storms, or severe flooding, require comprehensive preparation to maintain safety and reasonable comfort when grid power may be unavailable for up to three days.
Essential Items: (Include previous kits plus)
Extended water supply (3 gallons per person daily)
Camping stove with fuel
Three-day minimum food supply
Sleeping bags/extra blankets
Battery-operated carbon monoxide detector
Comprehensive first aid kit with several days of medications
Hygiene station supplies
Waterproof container with important documents
Two-way radios for family communication
Weather radio for emergency updates
When outages extend beyond 24 hours, water is your most critical resource. The recommended three gallons per person per day accommodate drinking, cooking, and basic hygiene needs. A camping stove provides hot meals and boiling capacity, but always use it outdoors to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
For longer outages that last days, top-level power backup is required. The EcoFlow Smart Control Kit is an excellent compromise between portable power stations and stationary generators. The system is interfaced to the breaker panel in your house through a power inlet box (generator connection style), but does not have to be installed permanently or hold fuel. Expandable 21.6 kWh capacity allows you to power essential circuits throughout your house for days.
400W or higher solar charging capabilities ensure you have enough power to recharge your power supply during extended grid outages. Smart water leak detectors are particularly valuable with storm-related outages when there is a greater risk of flood damage. Consider cellular-connected smart devices that will remain functional while your home broadband is down.
Dominion Power Outage Emergency Survival Kit: 3+ Days
When Dominion Energy customers face catastrophic events like major hurricanes, ice storms, or widespread flooding, power restoration can take a week or longer. These severe situations affect thousands of customers simultaneously and often coincide with damaged infrastructure, limited access for repair crews, and regional resource shortages. Comprehensive preparation becomes not just a convenience but potentially life-saving.
Essential Items: (Include previous kits plus)
Generator or substantial home battery system
Extended fuel supply in approved containers
Water purification methods
Two-week food supply (calorie-dense, nutritionally complete)
Full evacuation kit with maps and relocation plans
Extended medication supply
Written communication plan with contact information
Comprehensive waste management supplies
Defense items appropriate to the situation
Extended pet supplies
For longer-duration outages, greater than three days, stable electricity generation comes into focus. Gasoline generators are still the most readily available alternative for the average homeowner, yet they require secure storage of fuel and proper ventilation when operated. Store fuel in ANSI/UL-certified tanks outside living quarters, and refrain from running generators indoors or by windows. Home battery backup systems offer a cleaner, less obnoxious choice but are incredibly costly to have installed.
For extended emergencies, the EcoFlow Smart Home Panel 2 with DELTA Pro 3 is a do-everything solution that sits between the portability of power stations and the dependability of installed whole-house generators. Built right into your home's electrical panel, the system automatically transfers over in under 20 milliseconds during an outage and also allows you to tailor which circuits can receive power first. With an expandable capacity of up to 36 kWh, you're able to power essential home systems for days.
Special Considerations for Medically Vulnerable Customers
Households with electricity-dependent medical equipment face unique challenges during power outages, where continuous operation can be literally life-sustaining. Dominion Energy offers a Medical Needs Certification Program that provides additional notifications and considerations for these vulnerable customers.
Medical Equipment Backup:
Dedicated UPS systems for critical devices
Equipment-specific backup batteries
Documented power requirements for all devices
Equipment operation instructions for all caregivers
Battery-backed medical alert system
Emergency contact list, including healthcare providers
For medically vulnerable homes, power reliability isn't just a convenience issue. It's a matter of life and death. Top-of-the-line Dedicated Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems specifically designed for medical equipment provide essential protection from outages as well as power quality issues that could damage sensitive equipment. These need to be tested and maintained regularly according to the manufacturer's recommendations.
For homes with critical medical requirements, the EcoFlow Smart Home Panel 2's 20-millisecond automatic switchover feature is especially beneficial, as it avoids even temporary power disruptions that might impact sensitive medical devices. The circuit prioritization feature of the system enables you to set medical equipment circuits as the highest priority, so they continue to receive power even if other home systems need to be cycled.
Having a separate circuit for medical devices by itself provides additional protection against overloads and circuit failure. The circuit may be visibly marked at the circuit breaker panel. Remote monitoring allows caregivers to track power conditions and receive alerts even off-site.
Dominion Power Outage Essentials: Season-Specific Supplies
Power outages affect you differently depending on the season. Here's how to prepare for summer and winter outages in Dominion's service area.
Summer Kit Additions (June-September)
Extra Water: Stock more drinking water than usual. Hot weather during outages increases your need for hydration.
Battery Fans: Keep several battery-powered fans ready. These provide much-needed cooling when your AC isn't working.
Cooling Items: Have cooling towels and instant ice packs in your hand to help lower your body temperature during hot weather.
Sun Blockers: Keep a tarp or sunshade to cover windows or create shaded areas when your home gets too hot.
Bug Spray: Pack insect repellent since you'll likely need to open windows when the power is out, letting bugs in.
Winter Kit Additions (November-March)
Safe Heater: Get a proper indoor-rated propane heater or wood stove to safely heat your home during winter outages.
Warm Clothes: Store extra blankets, thermal underwear, wool socks, and fleece clothing to stay warm without heat.
Bed Warmers: Keep hot water bottles that you can fill to warm beds during cold nights.
Pipe Supplies: Have foam pipe covers and heat tape ready to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting.
Snow Tools: Keep a shovel, ice melt, and sand to clear paths to your home so utility crews can reach you faster.
Car Emergency Kit: Prepare your vehicle with traction aids, blankets, and warm clothes in case you need to leave during winter outages.
Stay Powered Up When Dominion Goes Dark
Being ready for power outages doesn't have to be complicated. This guide helps Dominion Energy customers prepare for everything from quick blackouts to multi-day outages. Instead of scrambling for flashlights in the dark, you'll have exactly what you need organized by how long the power might be out.
Remember that getting prepared isn't something you do once and forget. If you have medical equipment, don't forget to sign up for Dominion's special programs. With the right supplies and smart backup power solutions like EcoFlow systems, you'll keep your family comfortable and safe no matter when the lights go out.